Folding-machine.



No. 763,644. I PATENTED JUNE 28, 1904. G. A. S'TURTEVANT.

FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION nun mu. 2. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

"n4: Noam PErcns w, PHOTD-LIYNQ. WASHINGTON. DC-

No. 763,644. PATENTED JUNE 28, 1904" A. STURTEVANT. FOLDING MACHINE.APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2, 1903. N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 R m S &

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PATENTED JUNE 28, 1904.

0. A. STUBTEVANT. FOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2. 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

no MODEL.

/gizess es UNITED STATES i atented J'une 28,19o4.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. STURTEVANT, ()F PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WELVANTMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FOLDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 763,644, dated June 28,1904. I Application filed March 2, 1903. Serial No. 145,797. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. STURTEVANT, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of NewJ ersey,have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding-Machines,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to a folding-machine in which anumber of parallel folds are produced in the sheet, although some partsthereof are also applicable to other types of folding-machines. 5

7 One of the objects of this invention is to so organize the machinethat the folding-rollers are rotated directly by frictional contact withthe sheet-carrying tapes, thereby dispensing with separate means forrotating these rollers, as practiced heretofore.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sheet-carryingmechanism which con tains buta single set of tapes, which carry thesheets successively to the several folders and to the receiving-table,thereby reducing the number of pulleys, gear-wheels, tape-tighteners,and other parts, which are required when several distinct sets of tapesare employed for carrying the sheets from one sheet-folder to another.

Another object of this invention is to improve the. gages against whichthe front edge of the sheets are registered.

My invention has the further object to provide an improved clamp forholding the pressure-rollers, whereby the sheets are held down on thetapes.

1n the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure 1 is atop plan view of my improved folding-machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinalsectional elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section,on an enlarged scale. of one of the pressure-rollers. Fig. 4 is avertical transverse section in line 4 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a fragmentarysectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, of thereceiving and droprollers and the front gage. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section inline 6 6, Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section in line 7 7, Fig. 6.Fig. 8 is a vertical section. on an enlarged scale, of one of thefolding-blade rock-arms and connecting parts. Fig. 9 is a 5 verticalsection in line 9 9, Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevation, partlyin section, of the bearings of one pair of folding-rollers. Fig. 11 is avertical section in line 11 11, Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a vertical section,on an enlarged scale, in line 12 12, Fig. 6, showing the gearingconnecting the final pair of foldingrollers' and the cutters.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the main frame of the foldingmachine, which may be of anysuitable construction, and B is the horizontal receivingtable which isarranged in the lower rearor delivery part of the frame and receives thefolded signatures, sections, or pamphlets.

0 represents endless sheet-carrying tapes, bands, or belts, which passhorizontally forward over receiving-rollers (Z, arranged in the front orreceiving part of the frame and downwardly between the first pair offolding or imposition rollers e a, thence horizontally forward anddownward between the second pair of folding or imposition rollers f f,thence horizontally forward and downward between the third pair offolding or imposition rollers g g, thence downwardly between a pair ofcutter-shafts it if- Thence the tapes may pass directly downward infront of the receiving-table and backwardly around the under side ofdelivery or driving wheels I, thence upwardly and backwardly over anintermediate roller J, thence backwardly over guide-rollers k anddownwardly underneath tightening-rollers k to the place of beginning. 85 For the purpose of lapping the tapes around a greater part of thedriving-wheels and increasing the frictional or driving contact betweenthe same some of the tapes, as shown at 0, may pass backwardlyunderneath the front cutter-shaft 72 thence downwardly over a shaft orroller L, arranged over the front part of the delivery-wheels, andthence forwardly over the top of the delivery-wheels, after which thecourse of these tapes is the same as those first described. When nooutters are used, some of the tapes, as shown by dotted lines 0', maypass from the front final folding-roller g over the shaft L and thenceforwardly over the deliverywheels. Then these tapes complete theircourse the same as the tapes before described.

The receiving-rollers are mounted on a transverse shaft D, which isjournaled in bearings on the upper front part of the frame. The severalpairs of folding-rollers are arranged successively lower, so that thesheetcarrying portions of the tapes are arranged horizontal and paralleland are stepped from one pair of folding-rollers to the next followingpair, as shown in Fig. 2. The foldingrollers may be journaled in anysuitable way, but preferably in ball-bearings, so that the rollers turneasy. The ball-bearing for this purpose (shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of thedrawings) is constructed as follows: m represents a gudgeon or stud ofhardened steel fitted into the end of a folding-roller and extendingthrough a cylindrical opening of a bearingbloek M. 777/ representsseveral annular rows of balls arranged between the stud m and a steelbushing 022?, which lines the bore of the block. The several rows ofballs are separated by spacing washers or rings m and are held in placeby a disk m arranged at the outer end of the stud and connected with theroller by a screw m which passes through the stud. The twobearing-blocks at the same end of a pair of folding-rollers aresupported in a seat M on the main frame and are pressed together by aspring on. The first and second pair of folding-rollers are drivensolely from the carryin g-tapes, sufficient frictional contact for thispurpose being produced between the tapes and the rollers by the passageof the tapes over the front member of each pair of said folding-rollersand underneath the companion rear member, whereby an ogee deflection oroffset is produced in the tapes, which causes the same to firmly gripboth rollers of a pair and reliably turn the same. The front member g ofthe final pair of folding-rollers is also turned slowly by thefrictional contact of the tapes therewith in passing forwardly anddownwardly over the same to the drivingwheels. Inasmuch as the rearmember g of the final pair of folding-rollers is not in driving contactwith the tapes, this roller is rotated from its companion front roller gin unison therewith by a pair of intermeshing gear wheels at n, arrangedon the adjacent ends of these rollers, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6, and12. By thus driving the folding-rollers directly from the carrying-tapesthe gearing which has heretofore been employed for this purpose isdispensed with, thereby simplifying the construction of the machine andreducing the cost correspondingly.

- The driving or delivery wheels are mounted on a transversedriving-shaft a, which is journaled in the main frame and which may bedriven in any suitable manner for instance, by a gear-wheel 2", arrangedon the shaft and geared with a driving mechanism.

The intermediate roller J is journaled in the upper part of the mainframe and serves principally to bring the tapes into engagement with aconsiderable part of the periphery of the driving-wheels. Theguide-rollers k are mounted on a transverse rod H, which is supported onthe main frame, andthe tightening-rollers 7c are supported from the rod77 by tighten er-arms These arms are pressed downwardly by weights sothat the tightener-rollers constantly tend to take the slack out of thetapes. V

0 represents guard-rods which are arranged over the path of the sheetsas they are fed to the first or initial folding-rollers, and O O aresimilar guard-rods arranged over the path of the sheets while being fedto the intermediate and final rollers. respectively.

p p 2 represent guide-rods which extend forwardly from the rearmember ofeach pair of folding-rollers and support the advancing end of the sheetwhich is out of contact with the deflected part of the tapes, so thatthe same is in line with the trailing part of the sheet which is stillengaged by the tapes. The upper sides of the guide rods are flush withthe carrying part of the tapes immediately in front of the same. andtheir front ends are curved downwardly and engage with grooves p in therear member of the folding-rollers, so as to direct the advancing sheetover the top of the guide rods. The guard and guide rods are supportedfrom the main frame by cross-bars P.

Q Q Q represent the vertically -movable folding-blades, which arearranged over the folding-rollers and whereby the sheets are creased andcarried into the nip of the folding-rollers. These blades are providedwith slots q for clearing the guard-rods and are supported by arms 1/from transverse rockshafts (1 which are journaled in bearings on themain frame.

R R R represent rockarms depending from the rock-shafts of the severalfoldingblades.

3 represents a rod which connects the depending rock-arm R of the firstand second folding-blade shafts.

s 8 represent rods which connect the arms R R of the second and thirdfolding-blade shafts with the upper arm of a rock-lever S. The latter isarranged between the second and third folding-blade shafts and ispivoted on the shaft L.

8 represents a cam secured to the drivingshaftz' and engaging with aroller 8* on the lower arm of the rock-lever 8. When the high part ofthis cam engages with the roller 8*, the several folding-blades areraised simultaneously through the medium of the intermediate connectingmechanism, and when the low part of this cam is presented to the roller8* the several folding-blades descend into the nip betweenflthe severalpairs of folding-rollers. By thus operating all of the foldingbladesfrom a-singl e cam the construction is not only simplified and the costreduced proportionately, but the timing of the foldingblades is alsoeffected more rea'dily'and-the number of parts requiring attention and1ia'-. ble to wear is reduced. In order to permit each folding-blade tobe adjustedconveniently. with reference to its foldingroll-ers,-each ofthe depending rockarmsR R R is constructed in two sections 9 9 which areadjustably connected, so that the position of the blade can be adjustedwith reference to its actuating mechanism. The upper section 0" issecured or fixed on the folding-blade rock-shaft and preferably formedin one piece with one of theblade-supporting arms, as shown in Fig.8,-while the lower sec: tion 9'' is hung looselyon'the respectiverockshaft and-is connected by its red with the cam actuated lever.

'2' is an eccentric arranged in a longitudinal slot a in the uppersection 7' of the rock-arm and ivoted on a screw 1 arran ed on thelower. section thereof. Upon loosening the bolt 9" the eccentric maybeturned for shiftingthei upper section 9" with reference to the lowersection 9" until the folding-blade-is in the required position. Forconvenience in turning the eccentric the outer sidewof the latter isprovided with; a head or shoulder 1 having peripheral recessesr whichare adapted to receive a pin for turning the eccentric. After thefolding-blade has been adjusted to the required position the eccentricis fastened in place by tightening the belt o The eccentric preferablydoes not extend entirely through the slot of the fixed section, and thehead thereof overhangs this section, so that upon tightening the screw9* the eccentric and loose section-will be firmly clamped againstopposite sides' of the fixed arm-section. This means of adjusting thefolding-blades is extremely simple and permits accurate adjustment ofthe blades to be easily and quickly effected by the use of but a singlescrew or bolt,thereby saving time in getting the machine ready and alsoavoiding the necessity of handling a number of different wrenches commonto this class of machines as heretofore constructed.

U represents the vertical movable drop-rollers, whichare arranged overthe receivingrollers and whereby the sheets are pressed against thetapes for causing the sheets to move with the same. Thesedrop-rollersare mounted on a transverse rod or shaft 20, which issupported by arms 1/ from a rock-shaft a The latter is journaled inbearings on the front part of the frame and is rocked by a rod 10connected at its front end with a rock-arm 14, depending from therock-shaft 14 while its rear end is provided with a roller a which isengaged by a cam/a on the driving-shaft a.

j 'V repres'entsfront gages, against whichtlie front edges of the sheetsare fed and gaged preparatory to being carried by the tapes to thefolding mechanism. Each of the gages is elbow-shaped and' normallyprojects with its free lower end downwardly across the path of thesheets at the top of the receiving-roller, and itsupperinwardly-projecting part is pivoted by a transverse pine to abracket a), which projects outwardly from the adjacent crosse-b'ar lx-The gage is normally moved downwardly and outwardly into its operativeposition across the path of the sheets, as shown in Fig. 2, by a springc connecting the upper parto'f the gage with the bracket 0. The movementof the gage when it reaches its operative position is arrested by a stopor finger 0 formed on the upper part of the gage and striking against astop or lug o on the adjacent part of the bracket. In the normal op-'erative position of the gage the same projects outwardly underneath theshaft 20. WVhile in this position, the sheet to be folded is fed againstthe'gages and registered. When the parts of the machine are in positionfor receivingthe next sheet, the drop-rollers descend and press thesheet against the tapes, thereby causing the sheets to move forwardwiththe same. During. the first part of the downward m'oveme'nt'o'fthe-drop-rollers the. shaft u thereof engages with the elbow of thegages and turns their free lower ends inwardly and u-pwardly out of thepath ofthe sheet, thereby avoiding obstructing the forward movement ofthe sheet. After thefull length ofthe sheet has been fed past the frontgages the drop-rollers rise and the gagesare again lowered into theiroperative position. As the sheet moves forward it passes between thefirstpair of folding-rollers and folding-blades, and when it reaches itsfolding position its front edge strikes-a front gage orstop w, securedto the adjacent guard-rods, whereby the forward-movement of the sheet isarrested. Immediately thereafter the initial foldingblade descends'andpresses the central part of the sheet between the first folding rollers,whereby the latter obtain-a grip upon the sheet and fold the-same. Asthe folded sheet issues from the lower side of the first pairoffolding-rollers the tapes carry the same forwardly between the secondpair of folding-rollers and folding-blade and against a second frontstop '20, when the operation of producing theseC- ond fold parallel tothe first is formed in the sheet: The sheetis now in like manner carriedfrom the second folding mechanism to the third folding mechanism andarrested by stops 2'0 and a third fold parallel to the pre vious foldsis produced in the same. As the completely-folded signature or sheetissues from the third. pair of folding-rollers it is carried downwardlyby the vertical delivery portion of the tapes, from which latter thesignatures are removed and directed upon the re ceiving-table byvertical guide-fingers 6, arranged on the inner end of the table. As thesignatures are delivered successively on the table they are movedoutwardly thereon against movable followers 6 by a packing device whichmay be of any suitable construction and which is indicated by dottedlines in Figs. 2 and 6.

It will be observed that in this folding-machine the sheets are carriedsuccessively to the several folders and to the receiving-table by asingle set of tapes, thereby avoiding the use of extra rollers, shafts,gear-wheels, belttighteners, and other transmitting gearing, which arerequired when different sets of tapes are employed for carrying thesheets from one place to another and presenting the same to the severalfolding devices.

In order to prevent the tapes from slipping on the sheets, which isliable to occur when folding some kinds of sheet-paper, presserrollers ware arranged to press the sheets downwardly on the tapes. As shown inthe drawings, four of such rollers are shown bearing on the tapes inadvance of the first pair of foldingrollers. Each of these rollers ismounted on the rear free end of a supportingarm :20, which latter ispivoted at its front end on a transverse pin :2

. y 3/ represent a pair of clamping-plates having jaws g 1 at theirlower ends which engage against opposite sides of the guardrod or othersupport adjacent to the presserroller. One of these plates is providedwith a square stud g, which passes through a correspondingly-shapedopening in the other plate and carries the pivot-pin The stud y isprovided on the outer side of the perforated jaw with a cross-pin 1 asshown in Fig. 3, forming a fulcrum on which the perforated plate turnswith reference to the other plate. y represents a clamping-screwarranged in one of the clamping-plates above the stud g and bearingagainst the other plate, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Upon shifting theplates on the guard-rod until the presser-roller is in the desiredposition and then tightening the clamping-screw the upper ends of theplates will be separated or spread, thereby causing the plates to turnwith reference to each other on the cross-pin y and grip the jaws attheir lower ends firmly against opposite sides of the guard-rod, wherebythe presser-roller is held in place. This construction of clamp foradjustably attaching the presser-roller to the guard-rod is veryconveniently manipulated and affords a favorable leverage for securelyholding the roller in place.

WVhen it is desired to cut the folded signature into a number of partsprevious to discharging the same on the table, one or more cuttingdevices are arranged to sever the folded signature as the same issuesfrom the final folding mechanism. A suitable cutting mechanism for thispurpose consists of a rotary cut ting-disk 2, arranged on one of thecutter-shafts and cooperating with a grooved roller .2 on the othercutter-shaft. The folded signature passes downwardly between thecutting-disk and roller and is severed while being delivered on thetable. The two cutter-shafts are journaled in bearings on the main frameand are turned by intermeshing gear-wheels .2 2 secured to therespective ends of the cuttershafts,and an intermediate gear-wheel 2*,journaled on the main frame and meshing with the gear-wheel n on one ofthe final foldingrollers and with the gear-wheel 2 of one of thecutter-shafts, as shown in Figs. 2, 6, and 12.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination of a plurality of pairs offolding-rollers, the rollers of the initial pair being unconnected bygearing while the final pair of rollers is connected by gearing, andcarrying tapes which pass over the front roller and underneath the rearroller of the initial pair and around the front roller of the finalpair, whereby all of the rollers except the rear roller of the finalpair are driven solely by frictional contact with said tapes,substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a plurality of pairs of folding-rollers, therollers of the initial pair being unconnected by gearing while'the finalpair of rollers is connected by gearing, driving-wheels of largerdiameter than said folding-rollers, and carrying-tapes which pass overthe front roller and underneath the rear roller of the initial pair,around the front roller of the final pair and also around saiddriving-wheels;whereby all of the rollers excepting the rear roller ofthe final pair are driven solely by frictional contact with said tapes,substantially as set forth.

' 3. The combination of a plurality of parallel pairs offolding-rollers, the rollers of the first and intermediate pairs beingunconnected by gearing while the final pair of rollers is connected bygearing, a receiving-roller arranged in advance of the first pair ofrollers, driving-wheels of larger diameter than said rollers arrangedbetween the final pair of rollers and the receiving-roller, andcarryingtapes which pass over the front roller of each pair andunderneath the rear roller of the first and intermediate pairs and alsoaround said receiving-roller and driving-wheels, whereby all of therollers excepting the rear roller of the final pair are driven solely byfrictional contact with said tapes, substantially as set forth.

I 4. The combination of a plurality of sheetfolders each of whichconsists essentially of a pair of folding-rollers and a folding-blade,rock-shafts carrying the folding-blades and each provided with arock-arm, a connection between the rock-arms of the several shafts, andan actuating-cam for said connection, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of a plurality of sheetfolders each of which consistsessentially of a pair of folding-rollers and a folding-blade,rock-shafts carrying the folding-blades and each provided with arock-arm, rods connecting the arms of the several rock-shafts, arocklever connected with said rods, and a cam engaging with therock-lever, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a pair of folding-rollers and a folding-blade, arock-shaft carrying said blade, a rock-arm composed of two sections oneof which is secured to the rock-shaft while the other section is mountedloosely on said shaft, an eccentric adjustably mounted on one of saidarm-sections and engaging with the other section, and an actuatingdevice for operating upon said loose section, substantially as setforth.

7. The combination of a pair of folding-rollers and a folding-blade, arock-shaft carrying said blade, a rock-arm composed of two sections oneof which is secured to the rock-shaft and provided with a longitudinalslot while the other section is mounted loosely on the shaft, aneccentric arranged in said slot, a pivot mounted on the otherarm-section and carrying said eccentric, and an actuating deviceoperating upon said loose section, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of a pair of folding-rollers and a folding-blade, arock-shaft carrying said blade, a rock-arm composed of two sections oneof which is secured to the rock-shaft and provided with a longitudinalslot while the other section is mounted loosely on the shaft, aneccentric arranged in said'slot and provided with a head or shoulderbearing against the fixed arm section, a clampingscrew carried by theloose arm-section and forming the pivot of the eccentric, and anactuating device operating upon said loose section, substantially as setforth.

9. The combination of sheet-folding rollers, receiving-rollers arrangedin advance of the folding-rollers, sheet carrying tapes passing from thereceiving-rollers to the folding-rollers, a gage pivoted above the tapesadjacent to the receiving-rollers and movable in the same direction asthe tapes for clearing the path of the sheets or into the oppositedirection so as to depend into said path, averticallymovable rod whichengages with said gage during its downward movement and shifts the sameinto its inoperative position, and droprollers mounted on said rod andcooperating with said receiving-rollers, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of sheet-folding rollers, receiving-rollers arrangedin advance of the folding-rollers, sheet-carrying tapes passing from thereceiving-rollers to the folding-rollers, a gage pivoted above the tapesadjacent to the receiving-rollers and movable in the same direction asthe tapes for clearing the path of the sheets or into the oppositedirection so as to depend into said path, a supporting-bar arrangedtransversely above the tapes, a bracket supporting said gage andadjustable lengthwise on said bar, a vertically-movable rod whichengages with said gage during its downward movement and shifts the sameinto its inoperative position, and drop rollers mounted on said rod andcooperating with said receiving-rollers, substantially as set forth.

1 1. The combination of sheet-foldin g rollers, receiving-rollersarranged in advance of the folding-rollers, sheet-carrying tapes passingfrom the receving-rollers to the folding-rollers, a gage pivoted abovethe tapes adjacent to the receiving-rollers and movable in the samedirection as the tapes for clearing the path of the sheets or into theopposite direction so as to depend into said path,asuppor.t

ing-bar arranged transversely above the tapes,

a bracket which is adjustable lengthwise of said bar and upon which saidgage is pivoted,

'a spring connecting said gage and bracket and operating to move thegage forwardly into its operative position, a stop mounted on saidbracket for limiting the forward movement of the gage, avertically-movable rod which engages with said gage during its downwardmovement and moves the same backwardly into its inoperative position,drop-rollers mounted on said rod and cooperating with saidreceiving-rollers, and rock-arms supporting said rod, substantially asset forth.

12. The combination of a presser-roller adapted to bear against asheet-carrying tape, a pair of clamping-plates pivotally connectedbetween their ends and provided on one side of the pivot withclamping-jaws adapted to engage with opposite sides of a supportingrod,a screw engaging with the clampingplates on the opposite side of thepivot, and an arm carrying said roller and pivoted on saidclamping-plates, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination of a presser roller adapted to bear against asheet-carrying tape, a pair of clamping-plates pivotally connectedbetween their ends by a stud on one plate passing through a perforationin the other plate anda pin arranged transversely in the stud outside ofthe perforated plate, jaws formed on the lower ends of said plates andadapted to grasp opposite sides of a supporting-rod, a screw engagingwith the upper ends of the clamping-plates, and an arm carrying thepresser-roller and pivoted on a pin which is connected with said stud,substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 20th day of November, 1901.

CHARLES A. STURTEVANT.

Witnesses:

H. B. AoKLAND, A. W. HILSINGER.

Corrections in Letters Pat n It is hereby certified that in LettersPatent No. 763,644, granted June 28, 1904,

upon the application of Charles Sturtevant, of I Plainfield, New Jersey,for an improvement in Folding-Machines, errors appear in the printedspecification requiring correction, as follows: On page 1, line 78, thereference letter and numeral h should read h and on page 2, line 45, theword slowly should read solely; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of July, A. 1)., 1-904.

[SEAL] E. B. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

